Pants for children wearing diapers

ABSTRACT

A child&#39;s legged garment for use with cloth diapers, the garment having a discontinuous waist portion having at least one fastening portion with a plurality of free fastening ends that at least partially define a slit, and having an open position and a closed position, the discontinuous waist portion operably placed in the closed position by a plurality of fasteners positioned on the at least one fastening portion. The garment also includes a crotch portion, two leg portions, and two side portions interposed between the waist portion and the crotch portion, the slit separating the plurality of free fastening ends, extending substantially from a point between the crotch portion and the upper edge of the waist portion on at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion to the upper edge of the waist portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/674,113 filed Jul. 20, 2012, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pant-like garments, and, moreparticularly, relates to pant-like garments for children wearingdiapers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that most young children wear diapers. Some childrenwear cloth diapers, which enable a parent to reuse a diaper afterwashing it. In order to maintain the cloth diaper's integrity anddurability, the exterior of the cloth diaper is generally rough, whilethe interior of the cloth diaper is soft. The rough exterior of thecloth diaper is problematic for many parents as it bunches up withtypical pants or shorts designed for children. In some instances theentire diaper is removed when the pants are removed, which is extremelyproblematic for diapers that are soiled. As such, the friction betweenthe diaper and the pants makes it significantly difficult to place andremove a pair of pants over the diaper. While this problem is moreprevalent in the use of cloth diapers, the above disadvantages are alsofound in the use of typical diapers.

To loosen the size of the waist, most known pants generally open fromthe front, using buttons, zippers, or a combination of the above.Opening from the front of pants provides some disadvantages, however, toa user with children. Principally, the user is limited to the size inwhich the waist can open. For cloth diapers, the waist of the pantsneeds to open sufficiently to allow the user to remove and place thepants on the child. Considering children's proclivities to play withtheir clothing, the pants should also provide enough resistance whenopened to prevent a child's pants from falling down from the waist.Furthermore, utilizing buttons and zippers that are found on most pantsdo not effectuate a quick and easy removal, which removal is desirousfor many parents with children wearing diapers. Additionally, the use ofzippers can also pose a safety risk for children.

To also loosen the size of the waist, some known pants employ elasticbands in the waist portion of the garment. To remove or place the pantson a child, the waist is then deformed. These pants are alsodisadvantageous for many users as elastic bands are limited in sizebefore they either become too loose to effectively be retained while inuse or too tight, thereby creating discomfort for the child. Moreover,these elastic bands also often become plastically deformed after minimaluse, rendering them ineffective for their intended purpose.

Some other known pants loosen or open the waist from one or more sidesof the pants using fasteners. These pants, however, do not provide thenecessary resistance to inhibit the pants from falling down if thefasteners are inadvertently released and no downward force is applied tothe pants. Moreover, these pants still inhibit the removal and placementon a child, i.e., user. The above disadvantages are chiefly a result ofthe pants having slits—defined by the waist opening—which originate fromthe crotch portion of the pants, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,823,419 orDesign U.S. Pat. No. 622,935. Said another way, those known pants,especially those for children, do not provide the user ease of removaland placement and enough resistance at the user's waist area—i.e., fromthe stomach to the upper thighs, to prevent inadvertent removal should achild release the fasteners him or herself.

Some known pants also have side slits defined by the garment, but theseslits are invariably separated by additional and excess material thatinhibits removal and placement on a child. The removal and placementoften displaces the child's diaper, and in some instances, removes itentirely. Again, this can be extremely problematic when the diaper issoiled, as it then requires the parents to partake in the arduous taskof cleaning the child, his or her clothes, and nearby objects that maybe contaminated. Many known children pants are also disadvantageousbecause they have fastening connections that do not facilitate a quickrelease of fasteners on the waist and they do not resemble the look oftypical denim jeans with the functionality required for childrenclothes.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a garment that overcomes thehereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices andmethods of this general type and that effectuates the quick andeffective removal and placement of pants worn by children wearingdiapers. Moreover, the present invention provides pants that open aroundthe waist section of the garment to facilitate a parent, or otherperson, in removing the pants from a child with a cloth diaper andplacing the pants onto a child with a cloth diaper. Although the pantsmay be used in connection with a child wearing a cloth diaper, theapplication of the present invention should not necessarily be solimited. Additionally, the word “pants” is defined as a garment havingtwo portions where a user's legs are placed. As such, for the purposesof the instant application, “pants” may also be used interchangeablywith shorts, jeans, trousers, boxers, and the like.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a child's legged garment for use withcloth diapers with the garment having a discontinuous waist portion, acrotch portion, a first side portion, a second side portion locatedopposite to the first side portion, and two leg portions extending awayfrom an upper edge of the waist portion. The first and second sideportions are interposed between the waist portion and the crotchportion. The discontinuous waist portions defines a waist cavity forplacement of a user's waist, has at least one fastening portion with aplurality of free fastening ends that at least partially define a slit,has an open position, and has a closed position. The discontinuous waistportion is operably placed in the closed position by a plurality offasteners positioned on the at least one fastening portion. The slitseparates the plurality of free fastening ends, extends substantiallyfrom a point between the crotch portion and the upper edge of the waistportion on at least one of the first side portion and the second sideportion to the upper edge of the waist portion.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the slitis continuous when the waist portion is in the open position.

In accordance with another further feature of the present invention, theslit is void of any garment material. If there are more than onefastening portions, one or both of them may be void of any garmentmaterial.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, theclosed position of the discontinuous waist portion forms an outwardappearance of a pocket-like opening. If there are two fasteningportions, the discontinuous waist portion may form an outward appearanceof two pocket-like openings.

In accordance with yet another further feature of the present invention,the slit originates from a location on the at least one of the firstside portion and the second side portion no less than approximately 1inch above the crotch portion.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes the discontinuous waist portion including a pluralityof fastening portions, each located at the at least one of the firstside portion and the second side portion.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the slitis defined by and separates the plurality of free fastening ends on eachof the plurality of fastening portions is continuous when the waistportion is in the open position.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, theslit forms a portion of the waist cavity.

In accordance with the present invention, a child's legged garment has adiscontinuous waist portion, a crotch portion, two leg portionsextending from a lower extent of the garment, through the crotch portionof the garment, and to an upper edge of the discontinuous waist portion,a first side portion and a second side portion, located opposite to thefirst side portion. The first and second side portions are interposedbetween the crotch portion and the waist portion to provide the uniqueconnecting means. The waist portion includes a rear waist portion with aplurality of rear waist fasteners, a front waist portion with aplurality of front waist fasteners, the front waist portion including aplurality of side edges extending from the upper edge of the waistportion to a point between the crotch portion and the upper edge of thewaist portion on at least one of the first side portion and the secondside portion, and an open position and a closed position. Thediscontinuous waist portion is operably placed in the closed position bythe plurality of rear waist fasteners and the plurality of front waistfasteners and at least partially defines a plurality of slits separatingthe rear waist portion and front waist portion, the plurality of slitsforming a portion of a cavity defined by the discontinuous waistportion.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin pants for children wearing diapers, it is, nevertheless, not intendedto be limited to the details shown because various modifications andstructural changes may be made therein without departing from the spiritof the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of theclaims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments ofthe invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so asnot to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to allnumeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These termsgenerally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the samefunction or result). Unless otherwise stated herein, the use of“approximately” or “about” refers to a range of about +/−10-15% of thenumerical value. In many instances these terms may include numbers thatare rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, theterm “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a directioncorresponding to an elongated direction of the pants from the distal endof the leg portions to the upper edge of the waist portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a child's legged garment in anopen position, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the garment of FIG. 1, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the garment of FIG. 1, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of the garment of FIG. 1 in a closedposition, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the garment of FIG. 1 placed on a child, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational close-up side view of the garment of FIG. 1, inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational rear view of the garment of FIG. 1, inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood thatthe disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, whichcan be embodied in various forms.

The present invention provides a novel garment that facilitates a parentin removing and placing pants over a child wearing diapers, specificallycloth diapers. The present invention also inhibits the child's pantsfrom falling down should they become inadvertently loosened orunfastened by the child.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of the present invention isshown in perspective views. Specifically, a garment 100 is depicted asit is modified from an open position—shown in FIGS. 1-3—to a closedposition—shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 1-4 show several advantageous featuresof the present invention, but, as will be described below, the inventioncan be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features andcomponents, and varying numbers and functions of the components. Thefirst example of a child's legged garment 100 includes a discontinuouswaist portion 102, a crotch portion 104, and a first side portion 200, asecond side portion 202, and two leg portions 106 a, 106 b. The waistportion 102 can be generally said to be the portion of the garment 100that lies adjacent to the user's waist section when worn. The term“discontinuous waist” is defined as having gaps or spatial intervals inthe material making up the waist portion of the garment 100. Forexample, FIG. 2 clearly depicts an exemplary discontinuity 204 in thewaist portion 102.

The side portions 200, 202 include respective side seams 500 a, 500 b(shown in FIG. 5) where portions of the pants 100 are joined together.The side portions 200, 202 are opposite to one another and areinterposed between the waist portion 102 and the crotch portion 104.Said another way, the side portions 200, 202 are on opposite sides ofthe pants 100 and are disposed between the crotch 104 and waist 102. Thecrotch portion 104 of the pants 100 is the portion of the garment 100that lies adjacent to the crotch of a user, i.e. the baby. Typically,the pants 100 are also joined together on the inside of the pants onwhat is generally known in the art as an inseam. The inseam spans fromthe crotch portion 104 to a lower extent 108 of the garment 100, e.g., apoint on one or more of the leg portions 106 a-b. Constructing pants inthis manner is generally known by those skilled in the art, but thepants 100 may be constructed in other known methods.

In one embodiment, the waist portion 102 has at least one fasteningportion 400 (labeled in FIG. 4) with a plurality of free fastening ends110, 112. The plurality of free fastening ends 110, 112 are said to be“free” in that they are not fastened or restricted from movement by eachother. Said another way, one of the plurality of free fastening ends110, 112 is capable of moving to some degree without moving the otherend. Each one of the fastening ends 110, 112 is located on either therear waist portion 114 or the front waist portion 116. In otherembodiments, the waist portion 102 may have a plurality of fasteningportions 400, 402 (shown in FIG. 4), each located at or originated fromthe at least one of the first and second side portions 200, 202.

With reference to FIG. 2, the front waist portion 116 includes aplurality of side edges 206, 208 extending from an upper edge 210 of thewaist portion 102 to at least one of the first or second side portions200, 202. As illustrated, the side edges 206, 208 advantageouslyterminate at a location on one of side portions 200, 202 to providerestricted movement of the front waist portion 116. As such, the sideedges 206, 208 provide parents the ability to loosen the waist of thegarment 100 to remove and place it on a child wearing diapers, yetprovides enough frictional or compressive force to retain the garment tothe child should the child inadvertently loosen it while in use. In oneembodiment, the terminating location of the side edges 206, 208 is atone of the side seams 500 a-b (shown in FIG. 5). In other embodiments,the side edges 206, 208 may terminate at a location proximal (about1-2″) to one of the side seams 500 a-b. As the front waist portion 116is constrained about a location above the crotch portion 104 of thegarment 100, an adjustable waist portion 102 is created that effectivelycarries out the intended purpose of the present invention. Therefore, inanother embodiment, the side edges 206, 208 advantageously terminate noless than approximately 1 inch above the crotch portion 104.

With reference to FIG. 6, the garment 100 can be seen defining a slit600 that separates the plurality of free fastening ends 110, 112. “Slit”is herein defined as an opening or narrow cut. The slit 600 can also beseen advantageously extending substantially from either the first orsecond side portions, e.g., the side seam 500 a, to the upper edge 210of the waist portion 102 when the waist portion 102 is in the openposition. When in the closed position, the slit 600 will extend to oneor more fasteners 404, 406. As the slit 600 may correlate to one or bothof the side edges 206, 208, the slit 600 may also originate (usedinterchangeably with the word “terminate,” depending on the perspective)from a location on the first or second side portions 200, 202 that is noless than approximately 1 inch above the crotch portion 104.

As shown in FIG. 6, the slit 600 also forms a portion of a waist cavity602 defined by the waist portion 102. The waist cavity 602 serves as thespace where the user's waist is placed when the garment 100 is in use,as depicted in FIG. 5. The configuration of the one or more fasteningportions 400, 402, and the slit 600 that separates the same or the rearand front waist portions 114, 116, enable parents to effectively andefficiently remove and place the garment 100 on or off a child. In oneembodiment, the slit 600 is continuous when the waist portion 102 is inthe open position. The open position may correspond to one or both ofthe fastening portions 400, 402 uncoupled with one another at their freeends 110, 112. Said another way, the slit 600 may span uninterruptedfrom the origination location, e.g., the side seam 500 a, to the upperedge 210, as depicted in FIG. 6.

In other embodiments, the slit 600 may span a length with intervals ofgarment material separating the same. In further embodiments, the slit600 is also void of any garment material as it spans continually fromits origination location to the upper edge 210, as depicted in FIG. 6.Said another way, the entire slit 600 at least partially forms a portionof the waist cavity 602. This is contrary to those known garments thathave excess material causing bunching and creating friction with thechild's diaper. As such, the above-described slit configurationsbeneficially facilitate the user in removing or placing the garment 100off or on the child without risking the simultaneous removal ordisplacement of the child's diaper.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the discontinuous waist portion 102 can be seenoperably placed in the closed position by a plurality of fasteners 404,406 positioned on the at least one fastening portion 400. Morespecifically, one or more fasteners, e.g., 406, are located on the frontwaist portion 116, i.e., front waist fasteners, and one or morefasteners, e.g., 404, are located on the rear waist portion 114, i.e.,rear waist fasteners. In one embodiment, only one of the fasteningportions 400, 402 opens. In other embodiments, both fastening portions400, 402 open and are retained with a plurality of fasteners 404, 406.The fasteners 404, 406 used to couple the waist portions together mayinclude snaps, hooks, buttons, hook-and-loop, or the like. Moreover,fasteners 404, 406 may be any object that facilitates in the coupling ofsaid object with another object. For example, a button may be a fastenerand the hole in which the button is placed may also be considered afastener. Both snaps and hook-and-loop, however, are preferable andadvantageous in order to provide the quick removal and placementdesirous for garments used on children.

As depicted in FIG. 4, when the garment is in the closed position, thediscontinuous waist portion 102 forms an outward appearance of apocket-like opening. The outward appearance of one or more pockets isadvantageous as many users are desirous to have their child wear clothesresembling those typically worn by adults, yet still have the advantagesof a quick and effective removal and placement accomplished by thepresent invention.

The two leg portions 106 a, 106 b of the garment 100 extend away fromthe upper edge 210 of the waist portion 102 to the lower extent 108 ofthe garment 100. Alternatively, it could also be said that the legportions 106 a, 106 b span from the lower extent 108 of the garment 100,through the crotch portion 104, and to the upper edge 210 of the waistportion 102. The leg portions 106 a, 106 b are said to span the entirelength of the garment 100 because, as a practical matter, one or moreportions of the user's leg(s) are placed through the cavity 602 and outthrough the lower extent 108. The above-described garment may be madefrom a variety of fabrics that include, but are not necessarily limitedto, polyester, nylon, cotton, denim, corduroy, wool, or any othermaterial or combination of materials.

FIG. 7 illustrates an elevational rear view of the garment 100 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, thediscontinuous waist 102 may have one or more portions 700 with anelastic material to effectuate a secure and comfortable fit when thegarment 100 is in the closed position. In one embodiment, one or moreelastic portions 700 are sewn into the garment 100 and may consist of apolymeric material with elastomeric qualities. In other embodiments, theelastic portions 700 are not sewn into the garment 100, but ratherseparate and connect with other non-elastic fabric portions to definethe discontinuous waist portion 102.

A child's legged garment has been disclosed that facilitates parents inremoving and placing pants over a child wearing diapers, specificallycloth diapers. Specifically, the placement of slits in the pants, andthe termination location of side edges at least partially defining thoseslits, aid the user in removal, yet also inhibits the child's pants fromfalling down should they become inadvertently loosened or unfastened.Moreover, the garment 100 provides a beneficial appearance and operationdesired by many parents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child's legged garment for use with clothdiapers, the garment comprising: a discontinuous waist portion: defininga waist cavity for placement of a user's waist; having at least onefastening portion with a plurality of free fastening ends that at leastpartially define a slit; having an open position; and having a closedposition, the discontinuous waist portion operably placed in the closedposition by a plurality of fasteners positioned on the at least onefastening portion; a crotch portion; a first side portion and a secondside portion, located opposite to the first side portion, the first andsecond side portions interposed between the waist portion and the crotchportion; and two leg portions extending away from an upper edge of thewaist portion, the slit separating the plurality of free fastening ends,extending substantially from a point between the crotch portion and theupper edge of the waist portion on at least one of the first sideportion and the second side portion to the upper edge of the waistportion.
 2. The child's legged garment according to claim 1, wherein:the slit is continuous when the waist portion is in the open position.3. The child's legged garment according to claim 2, wherein: the slit isvoid of any garment material.
 4. The child's legged garment according toclaim 1, wherein: the closed position of the discontinuous waist portionforms an outward appearance of a pocket-like opening.
 5. The child'slegged garment according to claim 1, wherein: the slit originates from alocation on the at least one of the first side portion and the secondside portion no less than approximately 1 inch above the crotch portion.6. The child's legged garment according to claim 1, wherein thediscontinuous waist portion further comprises: a plurality of fasteningportions, each located at the at least one of the first side portion andthe second side portion.
 7. The child's legged garment according toclaim 6, wherein: the slit defined by and separating the plurality offree fastening ends on each of the plurality of fastening portions iscontinuous when the waist portion is in the open position.
 8. Thechild's legged garment according to claim 7, wherein: the slit is voidof any garment material.
 9. The child's legged garment according toclaim 6, wherein: the closed position of the discontinuous waist portionforms an outward appearance of two pocket-like openings.
 10. The child'slegged garment according to claim 1, wherein: the slit forms a portionof the waist cavity.
 11. A child's legged garment comprising: adiscontinuous waist portion; a crotch portion; two leg portionsextending from a lower extent of the garment, through the crotch portionof the garment, and to an upper edge of the discontinuous waist portion;a first side portion and a second side portion, located opposite to thefirst side portion, the first and second side portions interposedbetween the crotch portion and the waist portion, the waist portion:having a rear waist portion with a plurality of rear waist fasteners;having a front waist portion with a plurality of front waist fasteners,the front waist portion including a plurality of side edges extendingfrom the upper edge of the waist portion to a point between the crotchportion and the upper edge of the waist portion on at least one of thefirst side portion and the second side portion; having an open positionand a closed position, the discontinuous waist portion operably placedin the closed position by the plurality of rear waist fasteners and theplurality of front waist fasteners; and at least partially defining aplurality of slits separating the rear waist portion and front waistportion, the plurality of slits forming a portion of a cavity defined bythe discontinuous waist portion.
 12. The child's legged garmentaccording to claim 11, wherein: the plurality of slits are continuouswhen the waist portion is in the open position.
 13. The child's leggedgarment according to claim 11, wherein: the plurality of slits are voidof any garment material.
 14. The child's legged garment according toclaim 11, wherein: the plurality of slits originate from a location onthe at least one of the first side portion and the second side portionno less than approximately 1 inch above the crotch portion.